The challenges of owning your own business are many. Do you take out a loan? Do you buy a building? Do you rent? Do you want a business that has “goods” like a store or production company? Or would you prefer that you have no “goods” and your value is in you, those who work for you and your specific knowledge? I have never taken out a loan and I have no “goods” and I absolutely love it that way. I also loved my food production company but dragging all that stuff all over the place was not something I cared to repeat. My advice is: Be confident, don’t care what other people think, continue to grow and learn, and always ask questions!

I am the owner of Muggymoose Massage and Thai Bodywork. I work with clients to create Bodywork sessions and Ayurvedic recommendations that benefit their specific needs. This helps them reduce anxiety, stress, inflammation and pain, creating a more intentional way of being in their bodies. My specialty is Thai Bodywork, certified with the Thai Healing Alliance since 2008. My work also includes Therapeutic Table Massage, Ayurvedic Consults, Chi Nei Tsang, Ayurvedic Therapies, Marma point work , Yoga and Partner Yoga, studying with teachers in the United States and Thailand.

Prior to the field of massage, I worked as an Elementary Art Teacher, graduating from the University of Vermont. I was also a sailing and climbing guide for the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Naturalist for Hennepin Parks, and owned an Outdoor Food Company creating culinary delights for outdoor travel.

I have lived in Duluth since 2004 with my husband, Hansi, and my son, Tae. We enjoy involvement in the Duluth outdoors, including mountain biking, Nordic and Alpine skiing, running, camping and spending time on and in the lakes. My other joys include cooking, gardening, yoga, running my business and spending time in nature. I feel lucky and honored every day I comes to my studio to work with the Duluth community.

I have certifications as a Certified Licensed Massage Therapist, a Registered Thai Therapist, a Principle Based Partner Yoga Teacher, a Chi Nei Tsang Therapist, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, an Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist and Ayurvedic Bodywork Therapist. I value the integrity of training and certification. I am registered in all the modalities I practice on clients.

One of the most helpful tools one can have is learning how to take care of all kinds of customers. In my early years, I spent a great deal of time in jobs where there were customers. I worked at 3-4 different restaurants, an outdoor store and a few gift stores. All of these jobs teach invaluable skills. This might sound odd, but a restaurant job is an amazing job to teach you how to take care of customers and work as a team.

When you work in jobs like this, you are required to do your specific job but also do literally whatever needs to be done, so you learn how to wear many hats. At these different jobs, I was sometimes a manager, sometimes a waitress in the bar, sometimes a bus person, sometimes a waitress in the dining room. You learn how to let no job be “under” you.

When you own a business the same thing holds true! In my business now, I might be doing marketing, doing bodywork, managing websites and books, teaching, managing other therapists, but also folding linens or taking out the garbage! Business owners need to know how to wear many hats and to let no job be under them.

The other important skill that these jobs give you is learning how to take care of and communicate with customers. Customers really notice when you go out of your way to communicate with them. Above so many other things, this will bring a Business very far.

A lesson that I have struggled with over the years is how to remain confident and not let what other businesses are doing get in the way of my goals. It has taken me many many years to become a confident person and business owner. Trust me, it still isn’t easy, especially now with all of the social media and everybody flashing their whistles and bells… It’s very easy to feel like you’re not enough. Create a mission, stay with your mission and believe that you are worth it. Other companies similar to yours might be doing this thing and that thing… but keep your eye on the prize and don’t let the “shoulds” get in your way.  Persevere.